Third deer found in probe into poaching

Athird blacktail deer likely shot by poachers in the Crowfoot Road area was found Thursday, Oregon State Police reported.

Athird blacktail deer likely shot by poachers in the Crowfoot Road area was found Thursday, Oregon State Police reported.

A four-point buck was found dead off Crowfoot Road near milepost 3. OSP Fish & Wildlife Division troopers believe it was killed near the same time as two others shot last weekend.

A four-point buck was found dead in a resident's yard near milepost 1 of Crowfoot Road at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and a two-point buck was found injured in a nearby pasture. Troopers had to kill the injured deer, but the meat was salvaged and donated to food banks.

Some people who live on Crowfoot Road near Lost Creek Lake told investigators they had heard gunshots around 3 a.m. Saturday. The ongoing investigation found that two unknown people were seen walking along Crowfoot Road wearing camouflage clothing and possibly carrying firearms between 10 a.m. and noon on Dec. 8.

A $3,000 reward is being offered by the Oregon Hunters Association Turn-In-Poachers program, Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

People with information are asked to call OSP Senior Trooper Jim Collom at 541-618-7997.